University of Chicago, Department of Medicine, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC6076, Chicago IL 60637, United States.

Funding body: British Council grant

1a: We aim to investigate the biological basis for individual differences in circadian rhythms and sleep, and how it relates to cardiovascular markers and health outcomes in different ethnic groups.

1b: The published literature suggests a number of links between disturbances in circadian rhythms and sleep and cardiovascular risk factors and negative health outcomes. By further investigating the nature of this link, and the underlying genetic factors, we believe that it will be possible to contribute to the prevention and/or treatment of cardiovascular disease.

1c: We will interrogate the UK Biobank’s DNA marker database for associations between genetic factors and database entries related to circadian rhythms, sleep, and factors associated with cardiovascular health, and seek single associations as well as shared genetic factors. We will also use the UK Biobank data as a replication cohort for associations found in our own cohort study in Brazil.